Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has vehemently defended captain Rodri against critics, labeling the backlash as "insulting" following Spain's surprising 0-0 draw with Cape Verde in the FIFA World Cup. The result leaves all four teams in Group H level on one point, setting up a tightly contested battle for qualification ahead of Sunday's fixtures.
De la Fuente's Strong Defense of Rodri
"It seems incredibly insulting to me that people would say that about the best player in the world. Would people say that about others who are considered the best in the world? I think they wouldn't dare," de la Fuente told Cadena COPE radio, as reported by ESPN.
Luis de la Fuente described Rodri as the best player in the world, asserting that even when not at his best, he remains superior to most midfielders. De la Fuente praised Rodri's vision, composure, and ability to bring balance to the team, calling him a source of inspiration for Spain.
"But because they're Spanish, we say things about our own that we wouldn't about others. Rodri is the best player in the world. Even at 50%, he is better than most other midfielders in the world. He brings clarity, vision, and balance. Rodri is an inspiration for us," he added.
Cape Verde's Defensive Masterclass
Cape Verde produced one of the biggest upsets of the ongoing tournament, keeping a star-studded world number two-ranked Spain, who are also the current European Champions, restricted to a goalless draw in a sensational defensive masterclass at Atlanta on Monday.
Cape Verde is the third smallest nation by population to ever compete in a World Cup, but their defense was all heart as Spain took 27 shots without finding the back of the net. This equaled Spain's joint-most attempts in a World Cup match without scoring, tying with their 27 shots against Paraguay in the 1998 edition, which also ended in a goalless draw.
